How to Install: SSL Certificate for FREE

What is SSL?

SSL is short for “secure socket layer” – without going into extreme details, it is a security technology which allows information to be transferred safely between two locations, such as two different websites, or between your browser and a website.

It does this by taking the data that is being sent, and jumbling it up into what we could consider nonsense (this is called “encryption”).

Imagine it like a bodyguard for information such as credit card numbers, passwords, etc!

Why do I need it?

1. Google Likes SSL. they use it as a tie breaker between sites to help them rank you in the search engine
2. To protect users’ personal information: especially important for PCI compliance and GDPR compliance
3. Prevents Scary Messages in Web Browsers: these can drive away visitors!

Other Resources

Many hosting companies are now offering FREE SSL certificates. I like Siteground, because their customer service is fast and efficient, and it’s easy to install with just a few clicks.